Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum is proud to announce the release of a world first in rum, the very rare limited edition Appleton Estate 50-Year-Old Jamaica Rum – Jamaica Independence Reserve.

Appleton Estate 50-Year-Old Jamaica Rum – Jamaica Independence Reserve comprises rums that have been aged for a minimum of 50 years in hand-selected oak barrels and is believed to be the oldest rum available for sale in the world.

Available in the United States from Kobrand Spirits, a division of The Kobrand Corporation, the U.S. will receive 70 bottles, making this exclusive rum even more coveted.

The rums that make Appleton Estate 50-Year-Old Jamaica Rum were specially set aside to age over 50 years ago with the intention of creating a one-of-a-kind blend that would one day be bottled to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Jamaica's Independence. For over fifty years these rums were looked after – first by Master Blender Owen Tulloch and then by his protege and current Master Blender, Joy Spence.

This highly anticipated offering breaks new ground for the rum category as the Appleton Estate 50-Year-Old Jamaica Rum is believed to be the first rum to be aged a minimum of 50 years. "I am honored to have played a role in the creation of the Appleton Estate 50-Year-Old Jamaica Rum," says Master Blender Joy Spence. "Combining my passion for the highest-quality handcrafted rum with my pride in the country of Jamaica is a true privilege. I am honored to share Appleton Estate 50-Year-Old Jamaica Rum with the rest of the world at this very exciting time as we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Jamaican independence."

As the 50th Anniversary of Jamaica's Independence approached, Master Blender, Joy Spence carefully examined each barrel to ensure that the barrels had aged to perfection and had attained the level of complexity and richness that would be fitting to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Jamaica's Independence. The barrels were taken from the warehouse to the blending hall where they were brought together in a special vat and left to "marry," for several months, where each rum's character, flavor and bouquet were allowed to fuse together in harmony. The result is the highly anticipated Appleton Estate 50-Year-Old Jamaica Rum – Jamaica Independence Reserve Rum.

"The introduction of Appleton Estate 50-Year-Old Jamaica Rum marks a significant milestone for the rum industry, and Appleton Estate is very proud to introduce what is believed to be the world's oldest rum," says Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum Brand Manager Gregory Levine. "Appleton Estate has been creating fine handcrafted rums since 1749 in Jamaica's Nassau Valley, and the historical launch of Appleton Estate 50-Year-Old Jamaica Rum demonstrates the unwavering commitment to extraordinary quality and masterful blending, yielding complex flavors that has placed Appleton at the pinnacle of rum making."